A British radio presenter who left her show while it was on air and was found dead at home hours later had taken her own life, an inquest has heard.

Vicki Archer, 41, left work mid-shift during the BBC radio drivetime show.

She had emailed a colleague at BBC Radio Shropshire to say she was feeling upset and left about 5pm (local time) on August 6.

Ms Archer had hosted the afternoon show with her co-host since 2010. The BBC said she had worked at the station for more than 20 years and had a successful career in radio and also as an event host and voice over artist.

She was later found dead at her home in Shrewsbury, a town of Shropshire county in western England.

The Shropshire coroner’s court heard Ms Archer, a divorced mother of three, had a history of depression.

Coroner, John Ellery, was told she had been found by her stepfather about three hours after she had left work.

Knocks on the door to her home went unanswered so he used a neighbour’s ladder to gain access to a bedroom window.

Her stepfather had tried to revive her but she was pronounced dead about 8.20pm that day.

News Corp will not be publishing how Ms Archer died, but the inquest concluded that it was by suicide.

Ms Archer’s stepfather said in a statement that “alarm bells started to ring after he and her mother were told she had left work early and got no response when knocking at her door.

Mr Ellery said of his findings that:

“We have heard that Victoria had made two previous attempts to take her own life in the past and she suffered from depression.

“It is not necessary, nor is it appropriate, to go further into her personal and private life … This is a tragic case for her family and our condolences and thoughts are, and must be, with her children.”

A family statement read:

“We still cannot believe that Vicki’s not here. Her zest for life was infectious, she was a wonderful mother and daughter, and her charm brought a smile to all those who knew her. She could light up a room.

“While we will always miss her, we want to remember and celebrate everything that she achieved, which is why, in the spring, we are planning a memorial celebration of her life.”

The BBC’s head of regional programming for the area (West Midlands), David Jennings, said the station was “heartbroken” by Ms Archer’s death.

“Her loss leaves a huge void,” he said.

Mr Jennings said she was “respected as a great presenter and journalist.”

If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, contact Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or BeyondBlue 1300 22 4636.